Chapter 38

Memorial

Rhodry, in his SeeD uniform for the first time since the Fall of Timber, was behind the contingent of White and Neo-SeeDs, making their way up the path transcending the white cliffs. He walked with his White SeeD counterpart, Celes. Squall was at their front with Rinoa and Kurin, also in uniform, which was rare. Battleship Island was docked far below them, in tandem with the more elegant White SeeD Ship. Tyris had been left behind, free to roam the SeeD base. Without Squall or Rhodry aboard, there was nothing to stop her from leaving, but they did not suspect that she would. Squall believed Tyris spoke the truth about wanting to continue the fight.

From the clifftop, it was a mile to Tomb of the Unknown King at the end of the Gotland Peninsula. They could see the mass of people in attendance long before they reached the tremendous stone mausoleum, which Rhodry had never visited, but was learned in its history. Thousands of Galbadian soldiers and Garden cadets were in formation on the plains leading up to the Tomb, the Garlands marked out by their black uniforms at the front. Galbadia Garden hovered on the opposite side of the peninsular from which the SeeDs had arrived, almost everyone aboard arrayed on the viewing platforms.

To the Galbadians' left were several hundred soldiers in green insignia, formerly of Dollet's military and later the Children of Sarona freedom fighters. Now they represented the armed forces of New Sarona. To the right was a small number of former Timber soldiers, retaining their light-blue uniform and flat caps, ceremonial bolt-action rifles in hand.

There was a dais set just before the entrance to the Tomb. The newly sworn-in President Martine stood on its centre. There was also the surviving members of the late Caraway's Cabinet, in addition to Garden's new Headmaster, Biggs, and the newly promoted General Wedge. Laguna Loire was there, now serving as Martine's Vice President; technically still Esthar's president-in-exile, he was representative of both governments. To the left was New Sarona's new 'Supreme Leader', Shawn Argus, and Timber's own president-in-exile, Francesca DiMarco.

Beneath the dais were six open graves, the tombs already set into the turned earth at their heads. The centre most one was to contain Fury Caraway's casket, draped in the Galbadian banner. Either side of these were the graves for Seifer and Quistis. Next to Seifer's would be Raijin's, with Xu to be buried next to the fallen Blue Mage.

The SeeDs slowly passed through the parting Galbadian soldiers to join their predesignated place with the Garlands at the front. Squall firmly shook hands with his Galbadian counterpart, Ballad, before Rhodry did the same.

Nida was already with the Garlands, having departed the Island sometime earlier to ride with his wife's casket. He was absent Siren and his clan's katana, wearing his badge of shame; his left arm looked as though it were broken, with his off-hand protruding from his SeeD tunic the way it did. Despite the imploring of Squall and Rinoa, there had been no way of getting through to Nida. The former Sorceress' Knight believed he was unworthy of ever taking up arms again, and had relinquished Siren immediately following the Battle of Galbadia City. He was determined live out his days like Knight Hideyoshi of ages past.

The free Guardian Forces had been summoned to respectfully witness the ceremony. The gargantuan form of Leviathan lay coiled a distance away from the fearful soldiers to the left of the Tomb. Sitting upon his scaly form were Shiva, Siren, Sacred, Minotaur and Minimog. Bahamut was to the left side of Leviathan, his hind legs folded, spiked arms unfurled on the ground in front of him. Cerberus lay to the right of Leviathan, curled in a sidelong pose, all three heads on his paws. Somewhat away from the rest were Ifrit and Pandemonium. The GFs were ready to meet their enslaved Elder, Eden, should he and Ultimecia suddenly appear before them.

Thalassa was near to the five graves, not far from the numerous television crews. With her was the broad form of Gerra Almasy, wearing his black trench coat with the Hyperion symbol on its back. With them was Fujin, her maimed arm disappearing within the sleeve of her formal blue uniform. Her remaining hand rested on the shoulder of her son, Ifrit, who tried to stand bravely before his father's casket, also adorned in the fire crucible banner. Ellone and her three children were also with them, as well as Damian, Liu, and Zhang. Rhodry sauntered up to them.

'Good to see you again, Abadon!' Gerra said, his hand firmly grasping Rhodry's.

Rhodry had not properly considered what Leo had told him until after the latest battles, that he had been fated to die at Adaryn. Yet many of the participants of the battles for Galbadia now present here had apparently been killed in an unaltered timeline. Now, Rhodry was not the only one. He thought about Selena Vlahos, the bane of Glyn. If the Colonel had originally ensured that Rhodry's name had been remembered throughout the ages, under her own volition, then maybe she was as virtuous as was dictated.

Then the ceremony was underway. The morning was no longer young, and it was to be a drive of several hours back to Galbadia City for the wake at the Caraway manor, where only a select few would be in attendance. Martine stepped to the microphone, speaking slowly and measuredly.

'Ladies and gentlemen, Guardian Forces, allies and comrades from the world over. I welcome you all to the Tomb of the Unknown King, where our fallen leader and four heroes of the great battle for our freedom will be laid to rest!' He paused. 'Fury Caraway was not only our leader, but a national hero and a loving father. A symbol of patriotism and Galbadian pride, defending our capital until his final breath. He was the youngest ever to achieve the rank of General in our mighty armed forces, leading every campaign from the front, participating in every major battle, standing steadfastly against the tyrant Adel in the First Sorceress War! In a bold stroke, he sought to prevent the Second, by assassinating Sorceress Edea during her inauguration.'

Many of the White SeeDs stiffened and scowled at the mention of their matriarch in such a negative light. Though Rhodry knew that Edea being the future Ultimecia's puppet was not widely known. Most of the older G-Soldiers knew Ultimecia as a Sorceress that Seifer had been in league with following Edea's defeat in Centra. At the time, it was assumed that Ultimecia had been Edea's Successor.

Martine continued. 'Caraway was deposed during that blight on our history, and played no part in the brief bloodbath that was the Second Sorceress War. He came to power during the vacuum that followed-'

Rhodry also noted Edea's Bloodhound's brief tenure as Galbadia's ruler was going to go unmentioned, for now.

'-and brought Galbadia back into the light. He reversed many of the unfavourable policies of the Deling administration, freeing thousands of liberals from our desert penitentiary. President Caraway was loved by the Galbadian people. He was serving his fourth democratically elected term. Our Commander-in-Chief restored our military to a force that would again be respected and feared, with the Garland Regiment at its spearhead!'

When Martine paused, a loud cheer erupted from the Garlands, with Ballad drawing both of his swords and raising them into the air. It was dwarfed by the roar that came from the rest of the Galbadians. Martine waited patiently for them to subside.

'Caraway was the widow of Julia Heartilly, who was also tragically lost before her time. Sorceress Rinoa,' Martine gestured to Rinoa with one hand, 'was borne of their union.'

A cheer came from the Timber soldiers now. Martine again respectfully waited.

'Until recently, Mother Galbadia was the last bastion of freedom in the wake of the oppressor, Sorceress Reina. Dollet is now at liberty, recharted as New Sarona to play a pivotal role on an ever-changing world stage. Rest assured, the two great nations will soon be marching in unison across our shared continent to free the Forested Plains of Timber. Reina is now going by the name of Ultimecia,' Martine stated abruptly, and Rhodry was eager to see how he was going to handle this. 'Sorceress Ultimecia was the mastermind behind the Second Sorceress War. Sorceress Edea, who, for the last twenty years has also been known to us all as a genocidal tyrant, was innocent.'

The President briefly paused for effect. The White SeeDs could hardly contain themselves, their eyes wide and their mouths agape. Even Kurin and Celes were hanging on to his every word.

'Ultimecia possessed Edea into doing her bidding much in the same manner that she enslaved Sorceress Selphie, the Guardian of Trabia.' Martine gestured in Selphie's direction, who slowly nodded in view of the broadcast. 'Along with her husband and Knight, Cid Kramer, Edea was one of the founders of SeeD. She was in fact murdered by Ultimecia at her Centran home twelve years ago, defending children orphaned by the last war. Following the Battle of the Gardens, Ultimecia quickly sought to seize power in Galbadia, but was thwarted by SeeD. After the war, Ultimecia went into hiding, emerging to seize power in Esthar following the Lunar Cry.'

Rhodry understood. Now that the name of Ultimecia had returned to the world political sphere, exactly who she was had to be addressed by SeeD in a way everyone else would understand. Most people would not accept that Ultimecia masterminded the last war from the future, and that Reina was her younger self.

'Twenty years later, Ultimecia presumes to complete her world domination. Though we have shown that Ultimecia can be stopped. She will be stopped, with the strength of the free world united against her!' Cheers erupted again. Rhodry believed that Caraway had chosen his successor well, not just out of their longstanding friendship. 'And now, we lay our great leader to rest! A warrior until the end, may the name of Fury Caraway echo for eternity!'

Rinoa stepped forward, raising her hands to levitate the draped casket into its grave as the Galbadian national anthem played. The fallen President now beneath the earth, Martine called for Squall to come to the podium. The rest of the ceremony would be largely for SeeD, but the cameras would remain rolling.

'Thank you, Mr. President,' Squall said.

The Lionheart surveyed the mass of soldiers across the plain, sipping from a plastic cup. Rinoa came to his side. Rhodry knew that after many years as SeeD's leader, his Commander was now well accustomed to giving such speeches. Yet although his name was known to the entire world, it was probably the first time Squall had addressed so many of its inhabitants.

'People of the free world, we now turn our attention to some of the warriors that fell during the battle, who I am honoured to lay alongside President Caraway. The first is a name Galbadians will be very familiar with; Seifer Almasy, for he briefly stood as your leader,' Squall said, looking directly to Fujin, Ifrit and Gerra. 'While it is not widely known, Seifer was the trueborn son of Cid Kramer and Sorceress Edea. Formerly a cadet of his father's creation, Balamb Garden, Seifer departed when Edea returned to the world stage, to fulfil his childhood ambition of becoming a Sorceress' Knight. But, like his mother, Seifer was also manipulated by Ultimecia. His acts led him to be known as the Bloodhound of Garden. Or more specifically, Edea's Bloodhound.

'In the years since, Seifer returned to the fold and sought redemption by standing against Ultimecia. After the Lunar Cry, he and his wife Fujin volunteered their services to Esthar's auxiliary as mercenaries, aiding them against the Lunar hordes. During the coup detat, Seifer secured the passage of President Loire and the family of Doctor Odine into Trabia. In return, he was given a full pardon by President Caraway. Seifer came to the defence of his childhood home during the Fall of Balamb. He pledged the Bringer of Hellfire and aided in the acquisition of Siren, in addition to the liberation of the Tonberry King from Ultimecia's clutches. He also boldly ambushed Esthar's Dollet force at great personal risk. Seifer and I fought side by side defending Galbadia City, before he was cut down by Ultimecia's Knight, Leonidas Christophe.

'Seifer died a hero. He leaves behind his wife, Fujin; his brother, Gerra; and his son, Ifrit.'

The SeeDs and cadets began chanting the Bloodhound's name, joined quickly by everyone else present. Gerra handed Hyperion to the crying Ifrit, who laboriously raised it to the sky with both hands. The boy's namesake leant it fire, and the chanting warriors held the boy in reverence as a towering pillar of fire reached for the heavens, causing a downpour.

The GF's fire subsided as the strength in the boy's arms faded, and he moved to hand the gunblade back to Gerra, who gave him leave to keep hold of it for the duration of the ceremony. It took a long time for the fervour to die down. But when it did, Squall began to speak again.

'Interred next to Seifer will be his childhood friend and brother-in-arms, Raijin; also known as the Thunderstroke, and former bearer of Quetzalcoatl. Raijin was also an alumni of Balamb Garden, and was also my brother-in-law. Proud husband to my sister Ellone and a father of three, he leaves behind the valiant SeeDs Raine and Raiden, and the young Edea.'

Squall's eyes moved from Raijin's family to Xu's casket.

'And now we remember my close friend and Deputy Commander, Xu Figaro. The Torama Fang. Widow of the Iron Hand, Sabin. The Seventh Hero of the Battle of the Gardens.'

At this last statement, only Galbadian veterans of the Second Sorceress War remained silent. Biggs and Wedge clapped, but they remembered the prowling Torama Fang all too well.

'Xu was among the first class of SeeDs, and was perhaps a stronger candidate to lead Garden during the last war. Yet Xu never questioned her place as my subordinate and served dutifully as my tactician. Junctioned with Cerberus, she defended this free land on the Great Plains, before meeting her end to the demonic Agamemnon Zebalga. Xu joins Sabin and his brother Edgar in the Netherworld. She leaves behind two sons, Liu and Zhang, and her daughter, Tian – all proudly following in their mother's footsteps as members of SeeD.'

As soon as Squall ceased speaking, Cerberus bolted forward and gave a resounding roar with all three of his maws, more akin to a torama than a hound. Its new summoner, Ballad, joined him. Followed by everyone else.

'Finally, we come to perhaps the most notable warrior of all. The Blue Mage, Sorceress Quistis. Another heroine of the Second Sorceress War, and wife to her loyal Knight, Nida.' The former Knight made no reaction. 'Quistis was like a sister to me when we grew up at Balamb Garden. At fifteen namedays, she was the youngest ever to become a SeeD, and was my Instructor by seventeen. Like with Xu, the wisdom of Quistis was integral to me when I was prematurely appointed as Garden's Commander. A master Blue Mage even before accepting a share of Rinoa's power, Quistis almost ended the war with that devastating pulsar. She too was killed by Ultimecia's Knight, Leonidas.'

Squall paused. 'Without further ado, let's lay our brethren to rest.'

The caskets were levitated and dropped into the graves. Sacred and Minotaur bounded from Leviathan, approaching the apprehensive soldiers at the front of the graves. With a sweep of their arms the mounds of earth were all cast back into the graves, neatly filling the openings as though they had never been there, with only the row of headstones hinting what lay beneath. Verdant grass covered the ground, and an assortment of garlands grew from the ground at the base of each tombstone.

Squall resumed. 'I would like to give mention to some of the casualties of the recent conflict whose bodies could not be recovered. First and foremost, we fondly remember two of Cid's SeeDs. Owaen Garraent, who died defending Adaryn in his native Trabia. And Jacques Reno of Winhill, father of Neo-SeeD Damian, who met his end as the Empire took the southern bluffs.

And finally, we remember Irvine Kinneas. Husband and Knight to Sorceress Selphie, another hero of the Second Sorceress War, murdered by Ultimecia at their home near Adaryn. Formerly of Edea's orphanage and a crack sharpshooter of Galbadia Garden, Irvine was shortlisted for the assassination plot at Sorceress Edea's inauguration. Although unsuccessful, he continued to fight with SeeD and was instrumental in Ultimecia's first downfall.'

Squall looked at Selphie, inclining with his head for her to ascend the podium. Although this had been planned, Selphie seemed tentative at first. Thousands of Galbadian soldiers had died by her hand, and they all watched her fearfully. Rhodry was suddenly not sure this was a good idea, but the Selphie would be adequately shielded against reprisals.

'Mother Galbadia, first I have to apologise from the bottom of my heart. I was enslaved by Ultimecia after being overpowered by her in my homeland. I had no more control over my actions during the Battle of the Great Plains than Sorceress Edea did during the Second Sorceress War. If it wasn't for the heroic efforts of Rhodry Blaen, the destruction I caused would have been even worse. I won't ask for forgiveness, but I'm going to continue to fight Ultimecia and avenge my fallen Knight.' Her emerald eyes moistened. 'Irvine was a great man; he adored me since we were children. When fate had us reunited again, I eventually warmed to him, and after I received a share of Rinoa's power, he had no reservations about becoming my Knight.'

She turned. 'President Martine, I apologise to the whole of Galbadia. And also to my own Trabia, which I could not prevent falling to Ultimecia.'

There was a chorus of applause and some cheers from the SeeDs. Martine approached the dais and extended his hand to the Guardian of Trabia, who took it.

'Sorceress Selphie, on behalf of my great nation, I accept your apology. We will aid in the reconstruction of Trabia once the war is over. We must all face Ultimecia as one, or we will die divided.' Martine began to clap. Gradually, he was joined by everyone else in attendance. Then the President turned back to the cameras. 'Irvine Kinneas, rest in peace, comrade!' Martine said. 'You will be avenged!'

The ceremony over, Rhodry followed Kurin and Squall to a waiting military vehicle. The rest of the SeeDs departed back to their vessels.

On the oiled wooden stage at the end of the ballroom, Rinoa's slender fingertips danced across the keys of the grand piano as elegantly as her mother's ever had. She reached the final measure of Eyes On Me, singing the final verse with a passion that would have made Julia Heartilly proud. She had resumed her piano practice soon after settling near Obel Lake, and it had been one of the only things to ease her anxiety before the Divide. With nearly two decades of consistent playing, the Sorceress was now a natural. She could have followed in her mother's footsteps, if not for the war.

There was a respectable pause as the final note echoed around the hall. All the guests clapped and cheered before raising glasses to her. Rinoa descended from the stage, absent her white wings but in her favourite dress of the same colour. The one she had worn the night she had met Squall. And again at FH when chipping away at Squall's barriers, convincing the new leader to confide in his newfound friends more.

The Sorceress joined her Knight, who was with his father, Laguna. Present too was Martine, along with Francesca DiMarco and her former First Gentleman. Shawn Argus was also there, standing with the new head of his armed forces, Jericho Vossler. All four world leaders were flanked by their aides and protective details. They were standing just feet from where her father's mangled body had been recovered. Shot in the back, spoken of by the gaping exit wounds in his chest, in a raid led by Admiral Ramius.

'Wow, Rinoa!' Laguna blurted. 'I never thought I would hear Eyes On Me played live so awesomely! I never got to see your Mom perform the singing version!'

Esthar's President-in-Exile looked awkward, reddening slightly beneath his unkempt grey hair. It was a poorly kept secret that Laguna and Rinoa's mother had once been in love. Parted by cruel fate, Julia had wrongly believed that Laguna had perished in Centra.

'I knew your mother, Sorceress Rinoa,' Martine said. 'You look so much like her. You have certainly inherited her talent.'

Rinoa gave her winning smile. 'Thank you, Mr. President. I practiced daily before the fall of Timber, but I would stop short of saying I would have been my mother's equal.'

'You've always been so kind and humble, Rinoa,' DiMarco said. 'You could end all three of our lives with a wave of one of those fingers! I'm so relieved that you're nothing like Ultimecia!'

'My Knight has helped keep me sane for the past two decades, Madam President,' she responded happily. Rinoa had known DiMarco since her days in the Forest Owls, though would never presume to address her informally before Martine or Argus. 'I vowed to follow in Sorceress Edea's footsteps after receiving her power. Without her guidance, and if not for what Selphie and Quistis did for me, I fear I would have ended up like Ultimecia myself,' Rinoa admitted.

Argus had been looking at Rinoa. He had been a soldier for most of his life and held himself with the manner of one, as though always at attention. New Sarona's ruler was over fifty, but in great shape, his suit not concealing his bulk, bald with a neat salt and pepper goatee. He seemed wary in the presence of one who could end his life with little effort. General Vossler was around Rinoa's own age, said to be a direct descendant of Cecil, the First Paladin of the Holy Dollet Empire. A handsome man with short brown hair, matching eyes, and a chinstrap beard. His inherited greatsword Lightbringer was not present. He gave a nod as he met Rinoa's eyes.

'A mighty fine performance, Sorceress Rinoa!' Argus lauded. 'I also had the pleasure of seeing your mother play live, which would be showing my age! It was a long time ago, but you took me back to days gone by. I'm sorry about your old man. He was a strong leader and a fine soldier.'

Argus was totally unashamed of his Dollet drawl, which most politicians of the old Dukedom would attempt to curb.

'Thank you for your kind words, President Argus,' Rinoa replied. 'Allow me to personally congratulate you and General Vossler on freeing your nation from the Empire. I trust you will be lending your aid in the liberation of Timber, sir?'

Martine spoke abruptly. 'We were about to start negotiations on that.'

Argus spoke again. 'As you gotta appreciate, Sorceress Rinoa, Old Sarona was once the world's largest kingdom. The Holy Dollet Empire was the world's first superpower; the only thing that kept Adel from seizing the whole Planet! Our country has been suppressed and humiliated since the Fall of Jadis. I've vowed to my people we will never again bow and scrape to Esthar, Galbadia – or even SeeD, for that matter!' he said adamantly, looking from Martine to Squall. 'And that promise will be kept!'

Argus gave a fleeting glance to Vossler, who took over. He was considerably more well-spoken than Argus.

'My forces have swelled to three hundred thousand strong,' he claimed. 'All of our reservists have been called up in anticipation of Ultimecia's retaliation; every citizen having proudly completed their national service after finishing their education.'

Argus gave Martine another icy look. 'We did learn our lesson from your invasion twenty years ago! You will all need my numbers if you hope to win this war!' he stated boldly.

'And what do you desire in return, Mr. President?' Squall asked.

'Land,' Argus said simply, as though it should have been obvious. 'But rest assured, only some of what was once ours.' He looked at DiMarco. 'I want our western border pushed beyond the East Academy region, to just shy of Sequoia. Timber and New Sarona should have an equal share of the fertile land on our side of the Yaulney Canyon.' Then Argus looked back to Martine. 'And from you, Mr. President, I demand the Monterosa, which has been sparsely populated since your Garden went mobile. We need the land for our modernisation projects, as well as the expansion of our military. When we move on the Centran colonies, I'll be expecting an equal share of their resources too.'

Martine and DiMarco looked to one another, then looked briefly to their aides, knowing better than to respond without proper consultation. DiMarco was in less of a position to barter, as she was a president-in-exile, yet Martine had a lot more to concede in the agreement, even if the Monterosa was not heavily populated.

Now Argus had his eyes on Squall.

'From you, Commander Leonhart,' he said. 'I ask for Siren. As you know, the Harp of the Dawn has deep cultural ties to Old Sarona. Vossler is more than capable of commanding my swelling forces, but a Guardian Force will be necessary if New Sarona is to play a significant role in Ultimecia's downfall.' Argus went on, his beady eyes not leaving Squall's. 'SeeD, as always, has a worrying number of GFs at its beck and call – in addition to two Descendants of Hyne. You harbour a concerning amount of strength for a private military organisation without a country. In your early days, Cid Kramer presumed to hold a balance of power on the world stage. I don't believe asking for one of your GFs is unreasonable.'

Squall said nothing. Siren was currently junctioned with Zhang, and his use of her power must not have gone unnoticed during Dollet's liberation. Rinoa had leant Liu the power of Sacred and Minotaur. If Squall conceded to Argus' demand, she would have to see if Brothers would be willing to split their power between the twins. She glanced at Vossler before addressing Argus.

'Your auras show your intentions to be honest and fair for the sake of your people. It shall be done.' Then her expression changed. 'Though I hope, for your sakes, this is not the prelude to something more vindictive. After three global wars, the world has bled enough, Argus. It would be regrettable to defeat one tyrant only to have to contend with another warmonger.'

Argus stiffened a little more. 'Of course not, ma'am.'

'I will consult with my Cabinet,' Martine said.

'Please do,' Argus said. 'I expect a response within forty-eight hours.'